Entrepreneurs… Remember to Breathe!

Take a deep breath…

Being an entrepreneur is not easy. It is rewarding, it is exciting, it is occasionally exhausting and tears inducing, but what it is not, is easy.  Today, many people live in stress mode all the time and entrepreneurs, particularly women entrepreneurs, tend to top that list. By learning to identify your “stressors” you can decide to face them, change them and move towards calm.

Overloading your “to-do” list

This is a huge one. Even if you do self identify as “super woman”, “super man”, or “super entrepreneur”, and you have the focus and energy to be super, the real question is:  Is your schedule so packed that one small hiccup throws you into a snit both physically and emotionally? The sad truth is that our days are filled with countless interruptions and unforeseen dilemmas. Stamping out fires is the norm most days.

What to do?

Consider categorizing your daily schedule and grouping certain types of activities that can be done in a logical and linear fashion.  Depending on your personality and work style you can start with the easy items that will take just a few minutes, work through them and get them off of your list, or tackle priorities first thing in the morning when you are refreshed and rested.

Identify what tasks are predictable, recurring and time-consuming.  From this list determine where you really need help and can outsource tasks.  Is your housework falling behind and the clutter beginning to impinge on your consciousness? Consider hiring a cleaning service once or twice a month to really deep clean your home. Do you need to get very serious about your social media marketing but just don’t have the time or the knowledge to do it properly? Consider hiring a social media marketing expert to help you build your online presence and expand your brand.

Create a schedule that will keep you on track with all the chores and tasks that you need to accomplish on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, but be certain to build some flexibility into it to allow for the glitches that will invariably run into.

Tend to yourself

Yes, I know, as Virtual Assistants and online service providers we work from our beautifully appointment home offices. But…. do you look in the mirror and see your hair pulled back for convenience, little or no makeup, clothing that is functional and comfortable but hardly professional?  Go to your bathroom mirror and take a good long look at the “entrepreneur” in the mirror.  The truth is that there is a strong correlation between how you present yourself to the world and how the world reacts to you.  When you present a strong, confident aura even if it is just over the phone or in your online interactions with other people, you will get positive responses. 

What to do?

I strongly recommend a good fitness regime! If you can get to a gym first thing in the morning or are disciplined enough to work out at home you will find that your day is fueled from natural energy rather than a pot of coffee.

Remember to eat healthy snack in-between meals. By forgetting to eat your body goes into craving mode and you will find yourself irritable, headachy and tired.  Keep fruits, fresh vegetables and nuts handy for that quick energy boost. And drink plenty of water!

Invest in a good haircut, create a “5 minute face” makeup routine and ditch the sweat pants. I am not advocating that you dress as if you were working in somebody else’s office, but do make sure that when you sit down at your desk that you could also run out the door to meet with a client or a friend for lunch without having a full blow panic attack.

Do you have some great time management and stress managment tips for the online entrepreneur? I would love to hear them!

**You have permission to reprint in your publication or to your website/blog any articles by Denise Griffitts found on this Website as long as Denise Griffitt’s name and contact information is included. Denise Griffitts, Virtual Assistance Industry Expert, http://virtualassistantindustry.com, info @ virtualassistantindustry.com, 888-719-6711.